Apparatus for moving cutters in machines for shaving metallic rod stock

ABSTRACT

A machine for shaving metallic rod stock has two spaced-apart sets of advancing rolls which transport a workpiece lengthwise and are driven by discrete motors so that the movements of one set of rolls are synchronized with movements of the other set of rolls. A rotary sleeve-like tool holder surrounds with clearance the workpiece between the two sets of advancing rolls and carries several radially extending cutters which are movable radially into and form engagement with the workpiece by an adjusting unit including a variable-speed transmission driven by a further motor. When the motors for the advancing rolls are arrested, the rolls continue to advance the workpiece for a certain interval of time due to inertia. In order to make sure that the cutters are disengaged from the workpiece only when the lengthwise movement of workpiece is terminated, the motor for the adjusting unit is started with a certain delay following stoppage of the motors for the advancing rolls, whereby the length of such delay corresponds to the interval of lengthwise transport of the workpiece due to inertia of the rolls. The motor which operates the adjusting unit is started prior to starting of the motors for the advancing rolls so that the workpiece is set in motion simultaneously with termination of movement of cutters from retracted to operative positions.

United States Patent [191 Goeke June 18, 1974 APPARATUS FOR MOVING CU'ITERS IN MACHINES FOR SHAVING METALLIC ROD STOCK [75] Inventor: Alfons Goeke, Solingen, Germany [73] Assignee: Th. Kieserling & Albrecht, Solingen,

Germany [22] Filed: Mar. 13, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 340,822

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 28, 1972 Germany 2220984 [52] US. Cl. 82/20, 408/13 [51] Int. Cl. B23!) 5/12 [58] Field of Search 82/20; 408/13 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,099,929 8/1963 Lindemann 82/20 3,363,493 l/l968 Riedel 82/20 Primary Examiner-Leonidas Vlachos Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Michael S. Striker [57] ABSTRACT A machine for shaving metallic rod stock has two spaced-apart sets of advancing rolls which transport a workpiece lengthwise and are driven by discrete mo tors so that the movements of one set of rolls are synchronized with movements of the other set of rolls. A rotary sleeve-like tool holder surrounds with clearance the workpiece between the two sets of advancing rolls and carries several radially extending cutters which are movable radially into and form engagement with the workpiece by an adjusting unit including a variahle-speed transmission driven by a further motor, When the motors for the advancing rolls are arrested. the rolls continue to advance the workpiece for a certain interval of time due to inertia. In order to make sure that the cutters are disengaged from the workpiece only when the lengthwise movement of workpiece is terminated, the motor for the adjusting unit is started with a certain delay following stoppage of the motors for the advancing rolls, whereby the length of such delay corresponds to the interval of lengthwise transport of the workpiece due to inertia of the rolls. The motor which operates the adjusting unit is started prior to starting of the motors for the advancing rolls so that the workpiece is set in motion simultaneously with termination of movement of cutters from retracted to operative positions.

10 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure g i V i BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is already known to provide a shaving machine of the just outlined character with an adjusting unit which I is capable of moving the cutters into and from engagement with a workpiece while the holder rotates about an axis which coincides with the axis of the surrounded portion of the workpiece. The radial movements of cutters are initiated by a detector which measures the diameters of successive increments of the shaved workpiece and effects automatic adjustment in the positions of cutters in order to compensate for deviations of measured diameter from a desired optimum diameter. The cutters are movable radially while the advancing mechanism continues to move the workpiece lengthwise. Reference may be had to German Auslegeschrift No. 1,55 2,359. The orbiting cutters remain in engagement with the workpiece during and after deceleration of the advancing mechanism to zero speed. This invariably results in excessive localized heating of the workpiece due to friction which is generated on contact with the orbiting cutters and subsequent to deceleration of the advancing mechanism. Moreover, the cutting pressure os terminated as soon as the workpiece comes to a complete halt with the result that the stressing of the cutters and their holder is reduced or terminated. Such relaxation of stressing causes a slight but detectable radial movement of cutters toward the axis of the adjacent portion of the workpiece so that, when the workpiece is set in motion, its diameter is reduced below an optimum value. This starts a chain reaction because the detector initiates an adjustment of the cutters radially outwardly as soon as it detects the smaller-diameter portion of the workpiece with the result that the diameter of the workpiece increases beyond the optimum value.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provde a shaving machine for rod-like metallic stock (such as metallic wire) with an apparatus which can automatically control the positions of one or more orbiting material removing tools in such a way that the orbiting tool or tolls are disengaged from the workpiece when the latter is at a standstill and that the workpiece is set in motion only when the orbiting tool or tools reassume their optimum positions for removal of material from the workpiece.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shaving machine of the just outlined character with means for controlling the stoppage and starting of prime movers which are utilized to effect lengthwise movement of rodlike metallic workpieces and the adjustment of material removing tools toward or away from the workpiece.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel operative connection between the motor which operates the adjusting unit for the orbiting material removing tools of a shaving machine and the motor or motors which operate the advancing means for the workpiece.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a shaving machine with novel and improved timer and time-delay means for controlling the starting and stoppage of the just outlined motors.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a shaving machine wherein the material removing tool or tools can move relative to the work while the work is at a standstill without any danger of overheating the work, and wherein the diameter of work is not reduced below the desired diameter when the shaving operation is started or resumed.

The invention is embodied in a machine for shaving metallic rod stock which comprises advancing means operable to feed a rod-like workpiece lengthwise along a predetermined path; a hollow rotary tool holder which surrounds a portion of the path for the workpiece and supports at least one material removing tool so that the tool orbits with the holder and is movable radially of the holder between a workpiece-engaging operative position and a retracted position, adjusting means which is operable to move the tool radially of the holder, first prime mover means for operating the advancing means which latter continues to feed the workpiece by inertia for a predetermined interval of time following the stoppage of first prime mover means, second prime mover means for operating the adjusting means, and time-delay means which serves to start the second prime mover means and to thereby effect a movement of the tool from its operative position with a delay which corresponds to the aforementioned interval following the stoppage of first prime mover means so that the tool leaves its operative position and is thus disengaged from the workpiece substantially or exactly simultaneously with termination of lengthwise movement of the workpiece.

In accordance with another features of the invention, the shaving machine further comprises second timedelay means which serves to start the first prime mover means with a predetermined delay following the starting of the second prime mover means so that the adjusting means completes the movement of the tool from the retracted to the operative position when the advancing means begins to move the workpiece lengthwise. This insures that the cutting edge or edges of the orbiting tool engage a workpiece only while the workpiece is in motion.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved shaving machine itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional] features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The single FIGURE is a fragmentary partly diagrammatic and partly vertical sectional view of a shaving machine which embodies the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The drawing illustrates a portion of a shaving machine for elongated rod-like workpieces 18. The workpieces are fed lengthwise in the direction indicated by an arrow A by an advancing mechanism, which includes two spaced-apart sets of rolls 2 and 5. The upper rolls 2 are driven by a gear train 2a which receives motion from a prime mover 3 (e.g., a variable-speed hydraulic motor). A prime mover 4 which may be identical with the prime mover 5 drives a gear train 5a for the upper rolls 5. The lower rolls 2 and 5 are rotated by the workpiece 18 when the latter moves lengthwise. The manner in which the upper rolls are movable toward and away from the corresponding lower rolls and/or vice versa forms no part of the present invention and is not shown in the drawing. The operation of the motor 3 is synchronized with that of the motor 4 so that the speed at which the rolls 2 advance the workpiece 18 is the same at which the rolls 5 advance the finished product 18a.

The shaving machine further comprises a hollow shaving head or holder 6 which surrounds a portion of the preferably horizontal path for the workpiece 18 between the rolls 2 and 5 and carries at its forward end one but preferably two or more material removing tools or cutters l. The cutters 1 are equidistant from each other, as considered in the circumferential direction of the holder 6, and are movable radially of the rotating holder 6 by an adjusting unit which includes a shifting ring 7 rotating with and being movable axially of the holder 6, an externally threaded sleeve 8 which is movable axially with but does not share the angular movements of the shifting ring 7, an internally threaded gear 9 which is mounted in the frame of the shaving machine so that it cannot move axially and whose internal threads mesh with the external threads of the sleeve 8, a pinion 10 which meshes with the gear 9, and a transmission 11 whose output shaft drives the pinion 10. The input shaft of the transmission 11 can be driven clockwise or counterclockwise by a prime mover 12 (e.g., a

variable-speed hydraulic motor). The shifting ring 7 has an internal conical cam face which engages external cam faces on the cutters 1. Each cutter 1 is biased against the cam face of the shifting ring 7 so that, when the latter moves axially, the cutters 1 move radially inwardly or outwardly, depending on the direction of axial movement of the ring 7. When the pinion 10 rotates the gear 9 in a first direction, the sleeve 8 moves axially in a direction to the right, as viewed in the drawing, and causes the ring 7 to share such axial movement whereby the cutters 1 move radially outwardly to assume predetermined retracted positions in which their cutting edges are disengaged from the workpiece 18. If the gear 9 moves the sleeve in a direction to the left, the ring 7 moves in the same direction and moves the cutters 1 radially inwardly so that each cutter assumes an operative position at a predetermined distance from the axis of the workpiece 18. This results in removal of material from the workpiece 18 which moves lengthwise but is held against rotation about its axis.

The motor 12 for the transmission 11 of the adjusting unit for the cutters l is connected with the motors 3, 4 for the advancing rolls 2, 5 by conductor means l3, l4 and 15. The conductor 14 contains suitable timedelay relays 16a, 16b and a pulse counter 17 of conventional design. The time-delay relays are preferably adjustable.

The prime mover which drives the holder 6 for the cutters l is not shown in the drawing. This holder continues to rotate during short-lasting interruptions in the feed of the workpiece 18.

The operation:

It is assumed that the shaving machine is in use, i.e., that the motors 3 and 4 respectively drive the advancing rolls 2, 5 so that the workpiece l8 and the finished product 18a advance lengthwise (arrow A). The motor 12 is idle and the shifting ring 7 is held in that axial position in which the cutters I assume their operative positions at a predetermined minimum distance from the axis of the workpiece 18. If the motors 3 and 4 are arrested, the parts 2, 2a, 5, 5a of the advancing means for the workpiece 18 and finished product 18a continue to advance the respective rod-like parts in the direction of the arrow A for a predetermined interval of time which depends on the inertia of moving parts of the advancing means. Stoppage of the motors 3 and 4 takes place simultaneously with energization of the time-delay relay which starts the motor 12 with a delay corresponding to the aforementioned interval whereby the motor 12 causes the adjusting unit 7-11 to move the cutters 1 radially outwardly at the exact moment when the workpiece 18 is brought to a halt. Thus, the material removing edges of the cutters 1 leave their operative positions simultaneously with each stoppage of the workpiece l8 and finished product 18a. The pulse counter 17 serves to arrest the motor 12 after a preselected interval of time which is required by the adjusting unit 7-11 to move the cutters 1 radially outwardly to predetermined retracted positions. Analogously, when the motor 12 is started again to move the cutters 1 radially inwardly, the pulse counter 17 arrests the motor 12 at the exact moment when the cutters 1 return to their operative positions. The pulse counter 17 is preferably adjustable so that the operator can select the distance between the the operative and retracted positions of the cutters 1.

If the shaving machine is to be started, the time-delay relay 16b is energized to start the motor 12 so that the motor 12 operates the adjusting unit 7-11 for the interval of time which is determined by the pulse counter 17, i.e., the motor 12 is arrested at the exact moment when the cutters l reassume their operative positions at a preselected distance from the axis of the workpiece 18. The relay 16b starts the motors 3 and 4 simultaneously with stoppage of the motor 12 so that the rolls 2, 5 begin to transport the workpiece l8 and finished product 18a (arrow A) as soon as the cutters 1 return to their operative positions.

It will be noted that the apparatus which controls the movements of cutters l in directions indicated by doubleheaded arrow B insures that the cutters are disengaged from the workpiece 18 at the exact moment when the lengthwise movement of the workpiece is interrupted (with a predetermined delay following the stoppage of motors 3 and 4) and that the cutters return to their operative positions simultaneously with resumption of lengthwise transport of the workpiece l8 and finished product 18a in the direction of arrow A.

The motors 3 and 4 can be arrested automatically (e.g., in response to detection of a malfunction of the shaving machine) or intentionally. The time-delay relay 16a will start the motor 12 with a given delay following the stoppage of motors 3, 4 regardless whether the stoppage of motors 3 and 4 has been initiated by hand or in response to signals from one or more detectors. The same holds true for starting of the motors 3, 4 in response to completion of radial movement of cutters 1 to their operative positions, i.e., it is immaterial whether the motor 12 has been started by had (in response to energization of the relay 16b) or whether the relay 16b has been energized automatically in response to elimination of a malfunction whose detection has resulted in stoppage of the motors 3, 4. The motors 3, 4 can be arrested in automatic response to detection of malfunctioning of one or more machines which treat a workpiece 18 before the latter reaches the shaving machine of the present invention and/or in response to malfunctioning of one or more machines which serve to process the product 18a. Automatic disengagement of orbiting cutters 1 from the workpiece at the exact moment when the workpiece comes to a halt prevents an overheating of the workpiece. Automatic starting of lengthwise movement of the workpiece at the exact moment when the orbiting cutters 1 reassume their operative positions prevents excessive removal of material from the workpiece in response to resumption of movement in the direction of arrow A.

The exact construction of relays 16a, 16b and pulse counter 17 forms no part of the present invention. The pulse shaper 17 can be replaced by any other device which is capable of automatically arresting a pneumatic, hydraulic or electric motor after a selected interval of running. Also, the relays 16a, 16b can be replaced by any other suitable time-delay means which can start a first prime mover with a given delay following the stoppage of one or more second prime mover or which can start one or more second prime movers in response to stoppage of the first prime mover.

It is clear that the rolls 2, 5 constitute but one fonn of means which can be used to advance the workpiece 18 and finished product 18a lengthwise. Thus, such rolls can be replaced by carriages which transport the parts 18, 18a lengthwise during movement in the direction indicated by the arrow A and move relative to the parts 18, 18a during movement in a direction to the left, as viewed in the drawing. Also, the workpiece 18 can be advanced by a customary reel which serves to collect the product 18a in convoluted form, or by conventional clamping jaws which are moved back and forth in and counter to the direction of the arrow A so as to advance the work while moving in and to reassume a starting position upon completion of movement counter to the direction indicated by this arrow. It was found that the moving parts of the advancing means will continue to feed the workpiece 18 by inertia for a certain interval of time following the stoppage of their prime mover or prime movers, irrespective of the exact nature of those elements of advancing means which come into actual engagement with the workpiece or with the finished product.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of my contribution to the art and, such adaptations should and are included to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

1. In a machine for shaving metallic rod stock, a combination comprising advancing means operable to feed a rod-like workpiece lengthwise along a predetermined path; a hollow rotary tool holder surrounding a portion of said path; at least one material removing tool mounted in said holder and movable radially thereof between a workpiece-engaging operative position and a retracted position; adjusting means operable to move said tool radially of said holder; first prime mover means for operating said advancing means, said advancing means being arranged to continue by inertia the feeding of a workpiece for a predetermined interval of time following the stoppage of said first prime mover means; second prime mover means for operating said adjusting means; and time-delay means arranged to start said second prime mover means and to thereby effect a movement of said tool from said operative position with a delay corresponding to said interval following the stoppage of said first prime mover means so that said tool leaves said operative position and is disengaged from the workpiece substantially simultaneously with termination of lengthwise movement of the workpiece along said path.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising second time-delay means arranged to start said first prime mover means with a predetermined delay following the starting of said second prime mover means so that said adjusting means completes the movement of said tool from said retracted position to said operative position when said advancing means begins to move a workpiece lengthwise.

3. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for arresting said second prime mover after a selected interval or running.

4. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said advancing means comprises rotary workpiece-engaging elements.

5. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said first prime mover comprises a plurality of synchronously driven motors.

6. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said time-delay means is a relay.

7. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said advancing means comprises spaced-apart first and second portions and said holder is disposed between said first and second portions.

8. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said adjusting means comprises a shifting member which shares the angular movements of said holder and is movable axially of said holder to thereby move the tool radially.

9. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said time-delay means is adjustable to allow for changes in the respective delay.

10. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said holder supports a plurality of material removing tools. 

1. In a machine for shaving metallic rod stock, a combination comprising advancing means operable to feed a rod-like workpiece lengthwise along a predetermined path; a hollow rotary tool holder surrounding a portion of said path; at least one material removing tool mounted in said holder and movable radially thereof between a workpiece-engaging operative position and a retracted position; adjusting means operable to move said tool radially of said holder; first prime mover means for operating said advancing means, said advancing means being arranged to continue by inertia the feeding of a workpiece for a predetermined interval of time following the stoppage of said first prime mover means; second prime mover means for operating said adjusting means; and timedelay means arranged to start said second prime mover means and to thereby effect a movement of said tool from said operative position with a delay corresponding to said interval following the stoppage of said first prime mover means so that said tool leaves said operative position and is disengaged from the workpiece substantially simultaneously with termination of lengthwise movement of the workpiece along said path.
 2. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising second time-Delay means arranged to start said first prime mover means with a predetermined delay following the starting of said second prime mover means so that said adjusting means completes the movement of said tool from said retracted position to said operative position when said advancing means begins to move a workpiece lengthwise.
 3. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for arresting said second prime mover after a selected interval or running.
 4. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said advancing means comprises rotary workpiece-engaging elements.
 5. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said first prime mover comprises a plurality of synchronously driven motors.
 6. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said time-delay means is a relay.
 7. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said advancing means comprises spaced-apart first and second portions and said holder is disposed between said first and second portions.
 8. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said adjusting means comprises a shifting member which shares the angular movements of said holder and is movable axially of said holder to thereby move the tool radially.
 9. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said time-delay means is adjustable to allow for changes in the respective delay.
 10. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said holder supports a plurality of material removing tools. 